Jennifer Peirce is the associate director of research for Vera's Beyond Jails Initiative, where her research focuses on county-level criminal legal systems and ways to reduce local jail incarceration. Her past research has focused on experiences of transgender people in prison, solitary confinement, and human rights and prison system reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jennifer holds a PhD in criminology from John Jay College / CUNY Graduate Center.
Courses
Understanding the Unique Needs and Experiences of Incarcerated LGBTQ People
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 2-3pm ET
Only 0.6% of the adult U.S. population—about 1.4 million people—are transgender, yet transgender people are significantly overrepresented in jails and prisons. Once incarcerated, PREA recognizes that LGBTQ+ people are particularly vulnerable and at heightened risk for sexual assault, abuse, and repeated trauma. Their placement and housing within a correctional setting is determined based on the gender they were assigned at birth, rather than placing transgender individuals in facilities that correspond to their gender identity. As a result, incarcerated transgender and other LGBTQ+ individuals are often housed in a manner that compromises their safety and well-being and jeopardizes their daily access to programs and services—including extensive segregation and use of solitary “protective custody” confinement.
NOTE: This course will be held live only, it is not being recorded.